Automatic time-check for billiard-games



...u e e .D S mS .Tu e e h s oo S. N I K P .0 H DD. a. d 0v M .0 m,

AUTOMATIC TIME CHECK FCR BILLIARD GAMES.

No. 508,473. lP aJ'LeHLQd Nov. 14, 1893'.

1HE NATIONAL Lirnunurnms coMFANv.

wAsHma-ron. D. o.

(NC Model.)

Z'z'zse C. B. HOPKINS. y AUTOMATIC TIME CEECK ECE BTLLIAED GAMES.

8 sheets-sheet 2.

PatentCdNov. 14, 1893.

EN@ Moae1.)` s sheets-sheet s.

` C. B. HOPKINS.

AUTOMATIC TIME CHECK ECE BILLIAED GAMES. No. 508,473. Patented Nov. 14,1893.

Mig Qigy.

(No Mode1.)`

8 Sheets-Sheet 4.'

C. B. HOPKNS.

AUTOMATIGTIMB CHECK FOB. BILLIARD GAMES.

Patented Nov. 14, 1893.

NNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNN Y. mann-le c.

(No Model.) 8 sheets-sheet 5.

o. B. H0PKINS. `AUTOMATIC TIME CHECK POR BILLIAED GAMES. No. 503,473.Painted Nov. 14, 1893.

sssssssssssss c,

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 6. C. E.. HOPKINS. AUTOMATIC TIME CHECK PCRBI'LLIARD GAMES.

Patented Nov. I4, 1893.

lniIllLW (No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 7. C. B. HOPKINS. AUTOMATIC TIMECHECK FOR BILLTARD GAMES.

(No Model.) 8 Sheets-Sheet 8.

C. B. HOPKINS. AUTOMATIC TIME GHBGK T 'oR BILLIARD GAMES.

No. 508,473. Patented Nov. 14, 1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT f @einen CHARLES B. IIO'PKINSQOF SPOKANE,WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC TIMEfCHECK FOR BILLIARD-GAMES.

SPECIFICATION formingl part of Letters Patent No. 508,473, datedNovember 14, 1893. Application filed December 27. 1892. Serial No.456.472. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, CHARLES B. HOPKINS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Spokane, in the county of Spokane and State of Washington,have invented a certain new and useful Improvementin Automatic Time-Checks for. Billiard-Games, (Case No. 1,) of which the following is afull, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had vto theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification.

My invention relates to automatic time checks, and its object is toprovide a means of enabling an owner of billiard or pool tables to knowwhat amount of patronage he has received, and thereby check up hisfinancial clerk. When billiard or pool tables are paid for by the hour aclock is used, and where paid for by the game or cue some other form ofregister is used. The operation of the register is effected by theputting into service of some part of the paraphernalia necessary forplaying the game.

My invention consists of means for starting and stopping a clock or forcontrolling other register, which means is automatically operated bytheputting into service of some of the utensils ofthe game.

My invention further consists of the arrangement of the circuitsof theapparatus, which will be hereinafter more fully described and which willbe more readily understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, ofwhichy Figure 1 representsa billiard room showing lthe apparatus of myinvention in place. Fig. 2 represents partially in section the apparatuswhich releases the counting buttons so that they may be used. Fig. 3represents the same apparatus shown in Fig. 2, but with the detent inposition to prevent the use of the buttons, and the actuating mechanismin a corresponding position. Figfa represents a detail of the crankwhich operates the detent. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the actuatingmechanism for starting and stopping the clock, the clock mechanism beingrepresented only by the balance wheel to which the brake is applied tostop it. Fig. 5 is a front elevation of the same apparatus as shown inFig. 4, but with the brake applied to the balance wheel. Fig. 6 is aside elevavpole changing switch.

I tion of Fig. 5 with the brake upon the balance wheel. Fig. 7 is a sideelevation of a portion of the mechanism shown in Fig. '6 with themagnets removed. Fig. 8 shows the details of the lever which operatesthe brake. Fig. 9 is afront elevation of the box contain# ing the polechanging switch. Fig. 10 shows the same with the front metal plateremoved. Fig. 1l is a top View of the pole changing switch. Figs. l2 and13 show details of the lock attachment forrotating the pole changingswitch. Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the Fig. l5 is a partialsectional View of the pole changing switch.

16 represents the key which operates the of the horizontal plunger c4 isadapted to press; this plunger c4 is the terminus of the rod c5 whichhas a horizontal excursion in tube a, being actuated by the crank dwhich is pivot'ed at d to the arm cl2 to and moves with the armature e.Thesiipl` porting rod d3 is pivoted at e and e2 andlit will thus be seenthat the partial rotation'of the armature causes a rocking motionl ot'the -arm d2, which thus imparts throughthe crank c5 which is` Thislongitiidi of the beveled CZ the longitudinal motion of rod pivoted atc6 to said crank d. nal motion of rod c5 by means bearing surface ofplunger c4 operates to raise and to lower the detent, as shown first inits raised conditionin Fig. 2,and in the position which it. assumes bythe force of gravity when the plunger c4 is withdrawn, in Fig. 3. Whenthe detent is in the position shown in Fig. 3 the buttons cannot be slidthroughout its length. The detent, therefore, is so located that it isimpossible to use the buttons for countinga game when it is in theposition shown in Fig. 3,and in order to raise this detent and thuspermit the buttons to be which is carried upon. supporting rod d3,which'is rigidly attached Iupon the tube ai IOO used it is necessary toturn the pole changing switch, as will hereinafter be described, andthis process removes the brake from the balance wheel of the clock andsets the mechanism of the clock in motion, thereby registering the timeof starting the game; all of which will be more fully set forthhereinafter. IThe armature e3 similarly supported upon a pivotedsupporting rod (Z3 and adapted to be swung through the arc of a circle,as will be hereinafter described, serves to operate the crankfpivoted atf', which, by means of the forked endf2 which straddles the pinj"3serves to move the sliding barj4 which is supported upon the armsf5f5.The pinf limits the excursion of the horizontal slidingr bar f4. Uponthe end of this bar is provided the brake f7, preferably of leather,felt, rubber, or some similar soft material which may bear upon thebalance wheel g of the clock and thus stop the motion thereof, andthereby arrest the clock mechanism. It is obvious that the stopping ofthe clock mechanism may be accomplished by applying the brake to someother part of the train of wheels.

The apparatus of this system of my invention is so adjusted that thearmature e3 is caused to assume a position which will liber ate theclock mechanism at the same time that the detent c is caused to asstunethe position shown in Fig. 2, and the brake f7 is applied to themechanism of the clock by means of the swinging ot' the armature e3 tothe position shown in Fig. 5 when the detent is caused to assume theposition shown in Fig. 3. Thus when the clock is stopped the buttonscannot be used, and when the buttons are liberated the clock mechanismis set in motion.

The details of the pole changing switch which reverses the currentWithin the magnet coils that operate the armatures and thus the clockmechanism, and the detent controlling the buttons, are shown in Figs. 9,10, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15.

The key h shown in Fig. 16, is adapted to fit the key hole It. The dogh2 is adapted to drop into the channel Zt being pressed in thatdirection by the spring h3. 'lhe adjustable brake h4 bears against anextension of the cylinder l',thereby holding it in any position to whichit is turned. The insertion of the key into theV key hole raises the dogh2 and permits the t cylinder il bearing the contact strips i', t2, t3,t4 and t5 to rotate in bearings Za Zt. The brushes Zt", 7a2, k3, 7a4 andZ55 are arranged to bear upon the contact springs in the manner shown inFigs. l1, let and 15. The cylinder t' is preferably allowed to turn onlyin one direction, being held by the dog h4, as already shown.

I will now proceed to describe the diagrams of circuits in Figs. 17 and18.

We will suppose that in the diagram shown in Fig. 17 the armatures arerepresented as being in the position shown in Figs. 2 and 4. Adjoiningelectro-magnets Z Z of each of the series constituting the motormechanisms of the button detent and the clock brake, are wound in thesame direction, while the other electro-magnets of the series Z' Z arewound in the opposite direction. The armatures e e3 I make of softl ironabout which I wind a coil, thus polarizing the armatures when thecurrent passes in the circuit. Vhen the currentI passing throughthecircuit,whiehincludes the series of electro-magnets, makes of theextensions Z2 Z2, which I preferably make in the form of a segment of aring, north magnetic poles, the south pole of the armature e e3 will beattracted therebyand at the same time the polar extensions Z3 Z3 ofelectro-magnets Z Z being, on account ofthe opposite Winding of theelectromagnets, south poles, the north poles of the armatures e e3 willbe attracted, the armatures thus being in the position shown in Fig. 17.But the direction of the current being reversed in the circuit includingthe series of electromagnets, electro-magnets Z Z will pola-rizo theirextensions Z3 Z3 in the opposite sense; that is to say, north, and atthe same time polar ex tensions Z2 Z2 of magnets ZZwill become polarizedsouth, thus the north poles of the armatures e e3, which are marked l-,will be attracted by polar extension Z2 nearest it, and the south poleof t-he armatures e e3, which are marked w, will be attracted by thepolar extension Z8 nearest it, thus causing the arma` tures e e3 toassume the position shown in Fig. 1S. The pole changing switchdiagrammati cally shown in Figs. 17 and 18 in the two positions which itis made to occupy by the rotation of the cylinder bearing the contactplates, operates to change the direction of the current through theseries of electro-maguets without, however, operating to change thedirection of the current through the coil surrounding the armatures ee3.

As will be seen by reference to Fig. 17, starting from the source ofelectricity 'm I trace the circuit to binding post m', through contactplate i2 by Way of contact brush k2 to binding post m2, at which pointit divides, half of it going through the series of mag nets of the motormechanism attached to the clock work, and half through the series ofelectro-magnets of t-he motor mechanism operating the button detent.Tracing this on through the circuit m3 I see that it passes in turn allthe electro-magnets, thence to the binding post m4, thence to contactplate t" which is electrically connected with i3, thence to binding postm5 and to the source of electricity. From binding post m2 by circuit 'm6through the series of electro-magnets contained therein,I reach bindingpost 'm4 and thence back to the source of electricity m by the routealready described.

For the circuit containing the coil about the armatures e'rs I willstart as before from the source of electricity m to the binding post m',thence to binding post m7, thence by the circuit 'm8 around the armaturee, thence by the circuit m9 to binding post mm, to contact plate i4 andt", which is electrically connected IOO therewith, to bindingposts m5and to thel the coil surrounding the armature, andthe circuit m12 tobinding post 'm10 and thence back to the source of electricity by theroute already described.

Referring Vto Fig. 18, I start from the source of electricity m, asbefore, to binding post fm', I reach series of electro-magnets throughthe circuit m13 with a current in the opposite direction from that whichiowed through the magnets in position of the pole changing switchshownin Fig. 17, the current returning by the circuit m3 to binding post fm2,thence to contact plate 4 and back to the source of electricity by thebinding post m5. Starting from the binding post m for the other seriesof electromagnets, I pass by way of the contact plate i5 to binding postm4 and circuit m14 throughthe series of electro-magnets in a directionthe opposite from that in which the current fiows kwhen the polechanging switch is in the position shown in Fig. 17, and thence by thecircuit m? to binding post m2, through contact` plate t4 to binding postm5 and source of electricity. In the position shown in Fig. 18, however,as in Fig. 17, the current flows throughthe coils upon the armatures ee3 in the same direction.

While I have described my invention by referring to particular mechanismin detail, I do not wish to limit myself to the particular constructionof forms of apparatus shown and described. Other forms of pole changingswitch will readily suggest themselves and other motor devices vforstarting and stopping the clock and for operating the button detent mayreadily be found. It is apparent that the clock may be located at anydesired point, either by the table Where the game is to be played, orat. the cashier-s desk, or at some moreremote point.

Although having described my invention in connection with a time keepingregister, it is obvious that other registers may be employed.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is v 1. An automatic check for billiard games,consisting of a detent, and means for raising or lowering the same topermit or prevent the use of the counting buttons, and a clock, providedwith meansadapted to start said clock when said detent is raised, and tostop the same when said detent is lowered again, sub,- stantially asdescribed.

2. 1n an automatic time check for billiard games, the combination with aclock adapted `to be automatically started and stopped, of a detentadapted to release or lock the buttons,

a motor mechanism for starting the clock, and a second motor mechanismactuated simultaneously therewith for raising the detent;

whereby the clock will begin to register the time whenever the buttonsare released, substantially as described.

3. In an automatic time check for billiard games, the combination withmeans for releasing and locking the counting buttons, ot a clockmechanism, a brake adapted to bear upon said clock mechanism, a motordevice adapted to operate said brake to stop or release said clock, andmeans adapted to operate said motor mechanismto release said clockmechanism simultaneously with the releasing of the buttons, said meansbeing also adapted to operate said motor mechanism to stop said clockmechanism simultaneously with the locking of said buttons, substantiallyas described.

at. In an automatic time check for billiard games, the combination witha detent adapted to secure the counting buttons, of a motor mechanismadapted to operate said detent to release or to lock said buttons, and aclock adapted to start when said motor mechanism operates to raise saiddetent to release saidI buttons, said clock being` adapted to stop whensaid motor Imechanism operates to lower said detent to lock saidbuttons, substantially as described.

5. In an automatic time check for billiard games, the combination withthe clock, of a motor mechanism adapted to start and stop the same, adetent adapted to release and lock the counting buttons, a motormechanism adapted to operate said detent, and means for controlling` theoperation of said motor mechanisms so that when said detentis raised bythe one, the clock will simultaneously be started by the other, and whenthe detent is lowered by the one, the clock will be simul-v taneouslystopped by the other, substantially as described.

6. In an automatic time checkfor billiard games, the lcombinationrwithclock mechan ism, of a brake adapted to bear upon a portion thereof,said brake being operated by a lever, an armature to which said lever.is attached, electro-magnets adapted to cause said armature to rock, asource of electricity in circuit With said magnets, a pole changingswitch adapted toV reverse the current in said electro-magnets andthereby cause the armature to drop in the other direction, a detentadapted to release and lock the counting buttons, and means forautomatically operating said detent; whereby when the buttons arereleased the clock will be free to run, and when the buttons are lockedrthe clock will be stopped, substantially as and for the purposespecied.

7. In an automatic time check tor billiard mature to rock, pole changingswitch adapted, 'i to change the direction of current in said mage.

nets, and a clock adapted to be released when said detent is raised andstopped when said detent is lowered; whereby when the buttons arereleased the clock is f ree to run, and when the buttons are locked theclock is stopped, substantially as and for the purpose speciiied.

S. The combination with the tube (t, of the buttons b l) adapted toslide thereon, the detent c adapted in its downward position to securesaid buttons and in its upward position to allow said buttons to slidefreely upon said tube, a horizontal plunger c'l adapted to operate saiddetent, the crank d! attached to said horizontal plunger, the rod ccarryingy said horizontal plunger, the crank CZ attached to said rod c5and adapted to drive said rod c5 in a horizontal direction, the armaturee adapted to operate said crank, and means for' swinging,` saidarmature, whereby said detent is caused to rise and release saidbuttons, or to fall and secure said buttons, substantially as described.

9. The combination with means for securing and releasing,v implementsused in a billiard game, of motor mechanism adapted to operate saidmeans, said motor mechanism consisting ol` series of magnets, the'adjoiniingr magnets wound in the opposite direction, an armatureconstantly polarized in one direction, and means i'or reversing,r thecurrent through the electro-magnets, whereby the polarized armature iscaused to rock and operate the said means for securing` the implements,substantially as and for the purpose specitied.

l0. The combination with a clock, of a brake f7 adapted to engage withthe mechanism thereof, the lever j" adapted to operate said brake toengage it with and disengage it from said clock mechanism, au armaturec3 adapted to operate said lever, electro -magnets adapted to cause saidarmature to swing, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

ll. The combination with a clock, of a brake adapted to release and tostop the mechanism thereof, of a lever adapted to move said brake intoand out of engagement with said clock mechanism, a pivoted armatureadapted to operate said lever, a helix about said armature and in anelectric circuit; whereby said armature is polarized, two or moreelectromagnets with helices wound in opposite di- `rections and meansfor changing` the direction of current through said magnets; wherebythepolarized armature is attracted and caused to swing` throne-h the arc ofa circle and thus operate the stopping and starting brake of the clock,substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. In an automatic time check for billiard games, the combination withelectro-motor devices adapted to release the clock mechanism andcountiugbuttonssimultaneously,and to lock said clock mechanism andcounting buttons simultaneously by a reversal ot' the current in saidelectro-motor devices, of a pole changing switch consisting of acylinderbearing contact plates t" to if adapted to he turned only in onedirection, and contact brushes 7s 7a2 7e 7c 755, whereby the current insaid electro-motor devices may be reversed when desired, substantiallyas described.

13. In an automatic time check for billiard gam es, the combination withelectro-motor devices adapted to release clock mechanism and instrumentsfor carrying on the game simultaneously, and to lock said clockmechanism and said instruments simultaneously by a reversal ot currentin said electro-motor devices, ot` a pole changing switch adapted toreverse the direction ot said current, substantially as described.

14:. In an automatic time check for billiard games, in combination withelectromotor mechanism adapted to lock and unlock the clock mechanismand instruments for carrying on the game, contact plates t" i* and i5,contact brushes k t2 k3 7a" and h5, battery m having' its polesconnected respectively with brushes 7s and k3, circuits m3 and fmconnected in multiple between brushes 7e? and 7c", whereby the currentthrough said circuits mi and m may be reversed by the reversal of theposition ot` said plates, circuits m--n and mil-m12 connected inmultiple between one side of said battery and contact brush 7u, saidbrush h5 being connected continuously with the other side of saidbattery through plates t" and it; whereby current through circuits m3and m6 may be reversed without reversingr the current through circuitsnts-4a" and nin-m12, sliibstantially as described.

l5. In au automatic time check for billiard games, in combination withelectromotor mechanism adapted to lock and unlock the clock mechanismand instruments for carryingv on the graine, a pole changing switchcomprising a cylinder bearing, contact plates t" i2 t8 fr* t5, platest', 'i3 and t being electrically connected together, contact brushes kk2 ,7e3 k* bearing upon said plates upon one side of said cylinder,batterym having its poles connected with brushes 7.a and 7e3, circuitsm3 and m connected iu multiple between brushes k2 and it, whereby thecurrent through said circuits mi and m may be reversed by turning saidcylinderthrough a half revolution, contact brush adapted to make contactwith either ot' said plates t" and fi and connected in multiple th rough the circuits m8 mi and 1am-m12 with the pole of the battery mopposite to that lo which contact brush 7V" is con nected; whereby thecurrent through circuits m3 and m may be reversed, while that throughthe circuits nts-m and mil-f am remains unchanged when the cylinder isturned through a halt` revolution, substantially as described.

16. In an automatic time check for billiard games, in combination withelcctromotor mechanism adapt-ed to lock and unlock the clock mechanismand instruments for carrying,r on the game, a pole changing switchcomprising a cylinder bearing,r contact plates and contact brushesbearingthereon, a battery con- IOO IIC

nected between two of said contact brushes, a pair of parallel circuitsbetween two other of said contact brushes; whereby the direction of thecurrent through said circuits may be 5 changed by the half revolution ofsaid cylinder, a iifth contact brush and a second pair of parallelcircuits between said fifth contact brush and the battery; whereby whensaid cylinder is given a half revolution the direction 1o of the currentthrough said rst pair of parallel circuits will be reversed, while thedirec-

